Crows are my favorite animals for a reason. They’re widely regarded as highly intelligent and are known for collecting small, shiny objects like rocks, foil, and keys that they leave as “gifts” for the humans who feed them. Crows’ habit of accumulating small treasures is an approach I hope to persuade you to use in your own high school and college journeys.
Something I’ve observed as a college counselor and essay coach is that many of my students are hesitant to take the bold leap of trying new things. This is understandable–there’s a time cost associated, and it may feel “late” to start a new activity as a tenth, eleventh, or twelfth-grade student. However, taking the time to try new things is something that is a natural part of the teenage years, and it may not be viewed by colleges in the negative way you might think.
Throughout high school and college, I tried a lot of different things: volunteering at the Dallas Zoo, joining AmeriCorps, creating a documentary on an Irish boxing gym, and even working a summer at a frozen custard shop. On the surface, these experiences may seem disjointed. But stepping back, you start to see the common threads: a love of learning, a curiosity about the world, and a desire to make a difference. Like a trinket box filled with mismatched items that gain meaning side by side, these experiences collectively help me understand myself and feel prepared for whatever comes next. I’ve found a kind of spiritual wealth from these adventures—an invaluable confidence that I can tackle whatever life throws my way.
Most of the high school students I work with, though, face a different outlook. Many fear the risk of “wasting time” on unrelated activities that are not taken as seriously as others. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that these “unrelated” things often end up creating the very strengths, interests, and quirks that set us apart. In short, these experiences are positive, perhaps even necessary, components to growth and development in high school.
So, what exactly does it mean to have a “trinket box” of experiences? For me, it’s about building a collection of memories, skills, and insights that are personally valuable. I’ve been the president of my school’s Young Democrats, but I’ve also spent time in other political clubs—Independents, Republicans, you name it—to learn as many perspectives as possible. I took studio art classes and graphic design work to feed my creativity, even though I wasn’t majoring in art. These choices seemed random, but they gave me the confidence to pursue creative opportunities, like an internship with Antiques Roadshow and an upcoming internship with Disney Entertainment Television.
As you look to build your own trinket box, start by thinking about your own interests. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try, but were told “doesn’t fit” into your plans? Are you curious about a topic or hobby that doesn’t seem practical? Pursuing what genuinely interests you now can lead you to places that a strict path may never allow. Plus, trying new things can help you discover abilities you never knew you had. The truth is, a “trinket box” life comes with a kind of spiritual richness—unique skills, confidence, and the peace that comes from knowing you’re comfortable in different settings. So, to all the high school students out there, I encourage you to give yourself permission to collect a few “trinkets” along the way. Embrace your curiosity, take those little side paths, and trust that, even if they don’t all fit together now, they’ll make a lot more sense in the long run.